Treadmill Vs Elliptical Machine- Which One is Better

Are you looking to purchase cardio equipment for home but aren’t sure which one? Whether you need a treadmill or sole fitness elliptical machine? You will find that both a treadmill and an elliptical cross trainer are a great cardio workout that pumps up your heart rate up and quickly start burning calories. But the decision to choose either of one could be tough. Let us discover some details of both the equipment.

• Treadmill Versus Elliptical

The first question that springs up is that among the two elliptical or treadmill which one is better for weight loss? According to an article published by Harvard Health, both forms of cardio burn hundreds of calories per session. The number of calories varies according to different body weight and intensity. Looking at the figures, pedaling on an elliptical trainer usually burns more calories than running at 5 mph (12 minutes per mile), but running at faster speeds will burn more calories comparatively. This is an rough estimation of the amount of calories you burn, but it also depends on the pace you workout on the equipment. The best thing about elliptical machine is that it replicates the natural motion of legs along with hands, so you can focus on both hands and legs at the same time which is not that impactful in a treadmill. According to the experts at Mayo Clinic point out that the elliptical has several unique advantages over the treadmill. It is lower impact, engages the upper body and can be performed in reverse to work different muscle groups.

• Weight Loss: Elliptical vs Treadmill

For the most part, all forms of cardio exercise equipment have the same potential for weight loss. It all depends on the amount of effort you are willing to put into it. The more you crank up the resistance, incline, or speed, the more you will maximize your caloric burn and weight loss potential. So if your end goal is weight loss, both a treadmill and elliptical will help you achieve your goal.
 
Which one to choose?
Its personal choice to choose any of these fitness equipment. However, elliptical is usually more preferred because the feet never leave the pedals, s and bone, joints, and ligaments don't have the same stresses as with running on a treadmill which is a big benefit if you have joint problems or pain issues.
 
Author’s bio: the author is a blogger and the article is about fitness equipment.